Isolated extramedullary relapse in the pleural fluid of a patient with acute myeloid leukemia following allogeneic BMT

Myeloid sarcoma diagnosed on pleural effusion cytology: A case report and literature review

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a mass-forming, extramedullary infiltration of myeloid blasts rarely presenting in cases of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These tumoral masses rarely occur at any and multiple anatomic sites, precedent or coincident with bone marrow evidence of AML. We report a case of MS that presented as pancreatic and cardiac masses where subsequent evaluation of pleural effusion cytology rendered the diagnosis. Primary MS diagnosed via pleural effusion cytology is not yet reported in literature. Herein, we report the case of a 45-year-old man who presented with abdominal pain. An infiltrative mass was identified in the pancreatic head, suspicious for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Despite multiple attempts, Fine needle aspiration cytology of the pancreatic mass failed to render a definitive diagnosis. Subsequent thoracentesis of a right pleural effusion revealed cytologically malignant cells, identified as myeloid blasts after immunohistochemical and flow cytometric evaluation. Although rare, MS should be considered as a diagnostic possibility in the evaluation of malignancy with an unknown primary.

Cytomorphology, Immunophenotype, and cytogenetic profile of leukemic serous effusions

BACKGROUND

Serous effusions (SE) in leukemic patients can be due to infections, therapy, volume overload, lymphatic obstruction or malignancy having implications on treatment and mortality. The objective of the present study is to highlight the spectrum of cytomorphology, immunophenotype, and cytogenetics in leukemic serous effusions (LSE).

MATERIALS

Present study is retrospective and descriptive. We reviewed all the SE, which were reported as suspicious or positive of leukemic infiltration from 2016 to 2019 for cytomorphological features. CSF and effusions involved by lymphomas were excluded. Cyto-diagnosis was compared with primary proven diagnosis (by ancillary techniques) and disconcordant cases were analyzed.

RESULTS

Out of total 9723 effusions, only 0.4% (n = 40) showed leukemic involvement and included nine cases of AML, three of B-ALL, 13 T-ALL, 2 MPAL, 6 CML, 5CLL, one each of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and AML with myelodysplasia. The most common site of involvement was the pleural cavity (n = 30), followed by the peritoneal cavity (n = 7) and the pericardial cavity (n = 3). T -ALL (41.9%) was the most common leukemia involving pleural fluid followed by AML (23.3%). CML (42.8%) was the most common leukemia involving the ascitic fluid followed by B-ALL (28.6%). Accurate diagnosis was given on cytomorphology in 72.5% (29/40) cases and 15.0% (6/40) were reported as non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

CONCLUSION

Cytology is an effective tool available to make a diagnosis of LSE. Nuclear indentations in large atypical cells and cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm with sparse or abundant eosinophils in the background are an important clue in favor of leukemia over lymphoma.

Acute myeloid leukemia with leukemic pleural effusion and high levels of pleural adenosine deaminase: A case report and review of literature

Pleural effusions are rarely observed in association with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and their true incidence remains unknown. Given the low diagnostic yield from cytopathologic analysis of malignant pleural effusions and the fact that patients with leukemia are often thrombocytopenic and unable to tolerate invasive procedures, the incidence of leukemic effusions may be underestimated. Here, we report a rare case of pleural effusion in a patient with newly diagnosed AML. Initial analysis revealed an exudative, lymphocyte-predominant effusion. High levels of adenosine deaminase (ADA) were detected in pleural fluid, consistent with a diagnosis of tuberculosis. However, the analysis of pleural cytology revealed leukemic cells, permitting the diagnosis of leukemic effusion to be made. The patient underwent induction chemotherapy and pleural effusion resolved without recurrence. This case emphasizes the diagnostic dilemma presented by high levels of ADA in a leukemic pleural effusion, as this association has not been previously considered in the literature.

Polyserositis as a primary clinical manifestation of CD7+ acute myelogenous leukemia with myeloid sarcoma: A case report

RATIONALE

Myeloid sarcomas (MS) are defined as rare extramedullary masses composed of immature myeloid cells. MS mostly develops in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and involves primarily the skin, soft tissues, bones, and lymph nodes. Pleura and pericardium involvement of MS are extremely uncommon. Polyserositis is also a very rare extramedullary presentation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 30-year-old woman with a complaint of right neck mass combined with coughing for 2 months as well as fever and systemic edema for the last 10 days, was admitted to our center on July 11, 2019. Initial positron emission tomography (PET) scan indicated systemic lymphadenopathy, bilateral pleural effusion, and pericardial effusion.

DIAGNOSIS

The initial pathological diagnosis of lymph nodes was MS. Subsequent bone marrow analysis confirmed AML.

INTERVENTIONS

Conventional IA induction regimen followed by high-dose cytarabine (HiDAC) regimen.

OUTCOMES

Complete absorption of pericardial and pleural effusion after the first cycle of IA induction chemotherapy.

LESSONS

Polyserositis can be an extramedullary presentation of AML. Patients with polyserositis should undergo routine flow cytometric analysis. For AML with extamedullary infiltration, systemic chemotherapy should be administered in all confirmed cases.

Extramedullary Relapse of Acute Myeloid and Lymphoid Leukemia in Children: A Retrospective Analysis

Background

Extramedullary relapse (EMR) is a recurrence of leukemia in sites other than the bone marrow, and it exhibits a relatively rare presentation of relapse of acute leukemia. However, EMR is an important cause of treatment failure among patients with acute leukemia. Therefore, early detection of these relapses may improve the prognosis.

Objectives

To describe the disease-related demographic and clinical features and radiologic findings for children diagnosed with EMR in acute leukemia.

Patients and Methods

The study was based on 22 children (M: F = 14: 8; mean age 7.30 (2.1 - 15.7) years) with 8 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 14 acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) who had experienced an EMR. Age, gender, clinical symptoms, initial extramedullary disease (EMD), French-American-British (FAB) morphology, cytogenetics, time to and site of EMR, concurrent bone marrow relapse (BMR), radiologic findings, and outcomes were evaluated.

Results

No definite relationship was found between initial EMD and EMR. A predilection for AML to relapse in the central nervous system (CNS), except for the CSF and bone, and for ALL to relapse in the CSF and kidney seemed to occur. Patients with EMR had a significantly higher incidence of t(8: 21) cytogenetics and FAB M2 and L1 morphologies. EMR accompanied with concurrent BMR occurred in 31.8% of the patients, who exhibited a relatively grave clinical course. Radiologic findings were nonspecific and had a great variety of structure involved, including bulging enhancing mass in the CT scan, hypoechoic mass in the US, and enhanced mass-like lesion in the MRI.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the potential sites of EMR, their risk factors, and their clinical and radiologic features may be helpful in the early diagnosis of relapse and planning for therapy.

Myeloid Sarcoma: An Unusual Case of Mediastinal Mass and Malignant Pleural Effusion with Review of Literature

Myeloid sarcoma is an extramedullary tumor seen most commonly in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and less frequently in chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome and rarely, in an isolated form without any other underlying malignancy. Malignant pleural effusion in hematological malignancies is rare when compared with solid tumors. We present an unusual case of myeloid sarcoma in which a mediastinal mass with pleural effusion was the initial presentation. A 27 year old gentleman presented with complaints of fever, chest pain and swelling in the anterior chest wall for 6 months. Examination revealed a lump measuring 5 × 5 cm on the left side of the chest wall. Hematological evaluation showed hemoglobin-14.2 g/dL, platelet count-233 × 10(9)/L, TLC-117 × 10(6)/L with normal differential counts. Contrast enhanced computerised tomography (CECT) confirmed the presence of a soft tissue mass in the superior mediastinum abutting against the chest wall. Core biopsy was suggestive of myeloid sarcoma and immunohistochemistry was positive for myeloperoxidase and negative for CD3, CD 20 and CD 23. Pleural fluid analysis showed the presence of malignant cells. Bone marrow examination did not show an excess of blasts. A final diagnosis of extramedullary myeloid sarcoma with malignant pleural effusion was made. The patient was given induction chemotherapy (3 + 7 regimen) with daunorubicin and cytosine arabinoside. Repeat CECT done on day 28 showed complete resolution of pleural effusion and significant reduction in the size of mediastinal mass. The patient has successfully completed three cycles of consolidation therapy following which there has been complete resolution of the mass. He remains asymptomatic on close follow up.

Cytopathology of myeloid sarcoma: a study of 16 cases

INTRODUCTION

The diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma (MS) in cytology samples is challenging, especially when these tumors occur prior to a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia. The aim of this study was to review our cytopathology service's experience with a series of MS cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Archival records were searched from which 16 cytology cases of MS were identified and reviewed. Clinical findings, cytomorphology, and ancillary studies were analyzed.

RESULTS

MS was secondary to acute myeloid leukemia in 14 cases, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis in 1 case, and myelodysplastic syndrome in another. Flow cytometry was supportive in 11 cases, immunostains were helpful when performed in 4 cases, and fluorescence in-situ hybridization in the CML case showed t(9;22). Cellularity was variable in all leukemia subtypes. Blasts had round or cleaved nuclei with indistinct nucleoli. Maturing granulocytes were present only in the patient with CML, or with peripheral blood contamination (4 cases). Other blood precursors were absent. Apoptosis and lymphoglandular bodies were present in almost one-half of the cases, which correlated with increased blasts. Mitoses were infrequent (6 cases) and necrosis was not seen.

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of MS in cytology specimens can be made in cases with adequate cellularity and supportive ancillary studies in the correct clinical context. MS was harder to diagnose in cytology cases with low cellularity, blood contamination, and few blasts. Cytologic features that pose diagnostic pitfalls are lymphoglandular bodies suggestive of lymphoma and maturing or mixed granulocytes that mimic infection.

Extramedullary acute myeloid leukemia: leukemic pleural effusion, case report and review of the literature

Objective and Importance: Malignant pleural effusions occur in the setting of both solid and hematologic malignancies. Pleural effusion caused by leukemic infiltration is an unusual extramedullary manifestation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with fewer than 20 cases reported (1–11). We report a case of pericardial and pleural effusions in a patient with AML and review the literature.

Clinical Presentation: In this case, a 55-year-old man with previous history of myeloproliferative neoplasm experienced transformation AML, heralded by appearance of leukemic pleural effusions. The patient was identified to have leukemic pleural effusion based on the extended cytogenetic analysis of the pleural fluid, as morphologic analysis alone was insufficient.

Intervention: The patient was treated with hypomethylator-based and intensive chemotherapy strategies, both of which maintained resolution of the effusions in the remission setting.

Conclusion: Due to the rarity of diagnosis of leukemic pleural effusions, both cytogenetic and fluorescence in situ hybridization testing are recommended. Furthermore, systemic chemotherapy directed at the AML can lead to complete resolution of leukemic pleural effusions.

Leukaemic pleural effusion as a manifestation of acute myeloid leukaemia: a case report and review of literature

Haematologic malignancies such as acute and chronic leukaemias rarely present with or develop pleural effusion during their clinical course. We present a case of a young female who presented with unilateral pleural effusion and was diagnosed with haematologic malignancy on pleural fluid cytology. On further workup, a diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia was established. The patient was put on chemotherapy thereafter. This case clearly highlights the importance of cytopathology aids in making a diagnosis of rare and unusual presentation in haematologic malignancies.

Acute myeloid leukemia with leukemic pleural effusion

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) may be associated with extramedullary tumor growth, which is commonly known as myeloid sarcoma. Although AML with leukemic pleural effusion is considered rare, the true incidence is not clear. We report three cases of AML involving pleural effusion in this study. The cases were encountered in a single institute within two years, suggesting that leukemic effusion is more common than previously reported. Leukemic cells showed evidence of monocytic differentiation in all cases. Two patients presented with advanced AML. Both had concurrent myeloid sarcoma. Both were ineligible for intensive treatment and died soon after diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. The third patient had pleural effusion upon diagnosis of AML. Remission was achieved and the effusion disappeared after treatment. We conclude leukemic effusion may become more common in an era of improved care and prolonged survival for AML patients. The prognostic impact is unclear and patients should be given standard AML treatment whenever possible.

A case of donor-derived granulocytic sarcoma after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The occurrence of granulocytic sarcoma as a pattern of relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is rare. In this paper, we report a rare case of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapsed as a granulocytic sarcoma of the donor type. The patient was diagnosed as having AML and underwent an allo-HSCT from his matched sibling donor. Fifty-seven months after allo-HSCT, he developed granulocytic sarcomas of duodenum, jejunum, and left sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle. The bone marrow was normal with 100% donor chimerism. A Y chromosome PCR was performed on the patient's duodenum specimen as well as bone marrow aspirate in order to check the patient-origin cells. The duodenal specimen was found to contain 41.2% SRY-positive cells (from the donor). Repeat endoscopy on day 2 of chemotherapy showed that the granulocytic sarcoma had shrunk dramatically. The patient died of sepsis during the nadir state 35 days after starting salvage chemotherapy.

Characterisation of extramedullary relapse in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in advanced disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Recently, higher extramedullary relapse rates following allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in myeloid malignancies were reported e.g. because of selection of poor-risk patients. We analysed five consecutive patients with post-transplant extramedullary relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) out of a total of 24 patients (21%) undergoing allo-SCT. All five patients with extramedullary relapse had clonal evolution and a history of blast phase (BP). In particular, 56% of the patients in BP had extramedullary relapse with no extramedullary relapse in patients with chronic/accelerated phase. Most frequent manifestation sites were the skeletal system, the muscles/subcutaneous tissue and the central nervous system. In one case chloroma was mimicking myositis of the lower limbs. Combined approaches were performed including irradiation (n = 4), chemotherapy (n = 2), IM (n = 2), dasatinib (n = 4), nilotinib (n = 1), a novel aurora-kinase-inhibitor (n = 1), donor lymphocytes (n = 2) or a second allo-SCT (n = 2). Transient response was achieved in one case, stable partial remissions in two cases, whereas two cases were refractory. Research should focus on prospective studies aiming to improve treatment of extramedullary relapse in stem cell recipients with CML with a special focus on the role of second generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Mediastinal mass and malignant pleural effusion in an aleukemic case with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Pleural effusions and mediastinal masses are associated with certain types of hematologic malignancies. We report a 20-year-old man with a pleural effusion, a mediastinal mass, and a normal hemogram. The cytology of the pleural effusion initially suggested a lymphoma. However, an immunophenotypic study of the effusion revealed the following: TdT+, CD34+, CD19+, CD7(-), CD33(-), CD10(-), sIgM(-), and positive cytoplasmic mu heavy-chain immunoglobulins. After a bone marrow examination, we diagnosed the patient with pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This is the first reported case of a malignant pleural effusion and a mediastinal mass that preceded pre-B ALL. After standard therapy for ALL, the patient has been disease-free for 7 years.

Isolated extramedullary relapse presenting as autologous lymphocyte response

Isolated EMR in the CNS is a relatively rare form of recurrent leukemia. We report here a case of a 38-year-old man with inv(16) acute myeloid leukemia (AML, M2) who suffered a central nervous system (CNS) relapse after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) from a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor. After complete remission was achieved by chemotherapy, he received allogeneic BMT from his HLA-matched sister. His leukemia relapsed in the CNS 2.5 years after the allogeneic BMT. Lumbar puncture revealed 780/muL white blood cells with 67.3% leukemia cells and 32.7% mature lymphocytes. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using a probe for the Y chromosome demonstrated that both leukemia cells and lymphocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were derived from the recipient, although the bone marrow cells were from the donor. No leukemia cells with inv(16) were detected by FISH in the bone marrow. This is the first report to clarify the chimerism of lymphocytes in the CSF of patients with isolated EMR in the CNS after allogeneic SCT, in which analysis revealed that autologous immunologic cells rather than donor lymphocytes responded to the recurrent isolated leukemic cells in CNS. This observation suggests that the CNS is a "sanctuary" site not only from chemotherapy but also from the graft-versus-leukemia effect. The present case contributes to our understanding of the possibility of immunological escape phenomenon of recurrent leukemia cells in extramedullary sites.

An unusual cause of unilateral pleural effusion in the setting of aortic stenosis: acute myeloid leukemia

Pleural effusion has various causes. In the setting of aortic stenosis, new onset pleural effusion is generally considered as a consequence of heart failure. Here, we describe a 50-year-old male patient who had been followed with aortic stenosis for 30 years. During his admission he presented with exertional dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. He had no other symptoms or findings of cardiac failure. Complete blood count revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis, a normal hemoglobin level and normal platelet count. Left sided pleural effusion was noted on the posteroanterior chest X-ray. Examination of the pleural fluid revealed myeloid blasts. Bone marrow aspiration smear and flow cytometric analysis of the bone marrow and pleural fluid were consistent with acute myeloid leukemia.

Extramedullary sites of leukemia relapse after transplant

Recurrent or residual leukemia found in extramedullary sites after intensive treatments adversely affects prognosis. To summarize the sites and outcomes when extramedullary relapses have been reported after stem cell transplants, and to elucidate when long survival has been achieved, 207 cases were analysed. Authors were contacted for follow-up information. The most commonly reported sites are soft tissue in acute leukemias and bone in CML. Extramedullary relapse occurred typically within 2 years in ALL, but later in one-third of myeloid leukemias. Most testicular relapses reported in AML followed non-TBI conditioning. Marrow relapse was not inevitable if aggressive treatment was begun early. Local therapy alone was generally inadequate. Intensive therapy has produced lengthy remissions in cases of acute leukemias involving various sites, whereas CML cases, particularly involving bone, were most resistant to treatment. Heightened awareness and aggressive treatment should improve the prospect for cure after extramedullary relapse.

Isolated extramedullary relapse after autologous bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia: case report and review of the literature

Isolated extramedullary relapse (IEMR) is a pattern of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) relapse post-allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (alloBMT). Less is known about IEMR post-autologous BMT (autoBMT) and about factors associated with IEMR. We report a case of a woman with M4 AML who experienced IEMR post-autoBMT and review the related literature. Seventy-two alloBMT and 3 autoBMT patients, including ours, were identified. The review suggests that an M2 or M4 French-American-British (FAB) phenotype, intermediate cytogenetic risk group, and chromosome 8 abnormalities are more frequently associated with the occurrence of IEMR. IEMR occurs earlier in autoBMT than in alloBMT. Combined treatment with radiation and high-dose chemotherapy may be effective. When we searched the European Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (EBMTR) database, we found the incidence of IEMR to be statistically greater in alloBMT than in autoBMT (11% vs. 6%; P = 0.02), but no correlations have been found with the conditioning transplant regimen used. A closer follow-up, including body and central nervous system scan, should be considered in patients who are undergoing BMT presenting with several IEMR-associated factors.